Has it set in yet? Notre Dame actually won a huge game on Saturday. This space is still in a bit of shock, quite frankly. Here’s the reason why Notre Dame’s win over Utah on Saturday was so big – Not only was it a win over a top 20 opponent, but it was a win the Irish needed to extend the season. Now, Notre Dame is in the drivers seat for a sixth win and a bowl birth. Suddenly, a disappointing, head scratching, low expectation failure of a season turns into either a respectable 6 -6 or one of the best 7 – 5 endings you’ll ever see. This is, of course, assuming a win over Army this weekend at Yankee Stadium.

Simply put, it was a win that changed the complexion of a season and a coach. I don’t see how anyone can understate that.

I know it’s one game, but the confidence Notre Dame fans have in Tommy Rees has to be at an all time high. Imagine, that kid looked like the worst quarterback of all time in the few snaps he had before the Navy game.

Irish haters will say that fans are overreacting about a late – season win at home against a team that clearly isn’t as good as everyone thought. That may be true, but when you haven’t won a big game since 2006 and haven’t had a “statement win” since 2005, being joyous for a few days is allowed.

Did Notre Dame take advantage of a demoralized team? Maybe. But why is that a bad thing? Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do in College Football? You can count the amount of down dogs Notre Dame has kicked in the last five years on one hand. It sure is better then the opposite – giving them renewed confidence.

I like Lenn Robbins, but I’ve read this column twice and I still don’t understand the angle. So, the Notre Dame players should be excited, but not the fans? Shouldn’t it be, if anything, the opposite. I understand his point about the win not being against a top ten opponent or not being the magic sixth win, but I was unaware those were the only two qualifications for fan joy. Notre Dame fans have been through enough. Can’t they enjoy a win over a top 15 opponent? Come on, Lenn!